Panchayat polls: Odisha SEC orders against govt funded ads

After days of relentless accusation and counter-accusation by BJD and BJP over issuance of government funded advertisements in the run up to panchayat polls, Odisha State Election Commissions today ruled against publication or telecast of advertisements issued by both the State and the Central government.

SEC, in its order, said that the advertisements violate the model code of conduct — in force for the panchayat polls scheduled to be held in February.

Further, it said that it has written to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy asking it to stop the advertisements on Atal Jyoti Yojana. The Commission has also asked the collectors to remove hoardings advertising welfare schemes of the State Government.

Earlier SEC had asked concerned authorities to take Ujjwala and Swachh Bharat advertisements off air.

In a bid to monitor any possible violation of the model code of conduct, SEC has released two email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]. A round-the-clock control room has also been set up that can be reached on 06742573542.

In may be mentioned here that BJD, for the third consecutive day today, approached the SEC alleging poll code violation against BJP. Today, it has taken objection to Ujjwala advertisements issued in print media.